Allentown, PA (December 17, 2023) - Sophomore Nate Ellis scored a season-high 17 points leading the DeSales University men's basketball team past local rival Muhlenberg College, 74-60, in non-conference action on Sunday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: DeSales - 74, Muhlenberg - 60
• Records: DeSales (7-2 Overall); Muhlenberg (3-5 Overall)
• This was DSU's third straight win over the Mules improving to 24-27 all-time vs. local rival Muhlenberg College.

How it Happened

• DeSales opened the game on a 15-3 run, taking a 12-point lead over the first seven minutes of the game.
• Muhlenberg countered with eight straight points in the middle of the half to get within four points at 8:05 mark.
• The Bulldogs led by five at the 4:09 mark before ending the half on a 9-1 run to take a 39-26 lead into the locker room.
• DSU scored the first nine points of the second-half as the lead swelled to 22 points (48-26) at the 15:30 mark.
• The Mules chipped away slowly pulling within five points (56-51) with 6:23 left.
• Senior Christian Guldin converted a three-point play on the next possession to push the lead back to eight points and DSU hit 6-of-8 from the free line over the final two minutes to ice the win.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Ellis was the lone double digit scorer with 17 points off the bench.
• Senior Mason Barnes had eight points and a career-high nine assists.
• Seniors Will Bowen and Caleb Gibbs each had nine points, with Gibbs pulling down a game-high eight rebounds.

For the Foes

• J. Williams-Johnson had a game-high 19 points.
• Giovanni Rubino finished with 14 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales controlled the glass out-rebounding the Mules, 35-26.
• DSU shot 50.9 percent from the game and held Muhlenberg to just 35.1 percent shooting.
• The Bulldogs were 10-for-20 from outside the arc.

Up Next

• DSU returns to action on December 29th when they host Hamilton College on day one of the Al Senavitis Holiday Tournament beginning at 5:00 pm.